Chapter 14

A withered rose streaked across the room, embedding itself deep within
the fiend's sword hand.&nbsp The sword clattered to the ground and
evaporated as its bearer shrieked with pain.&nbsp All eyes turned to
the source of the rose -- a dark man with a cape, cane, tall hat, and
a black mask.

"Tuxedo Mask!" Serena cried.&nbsp It was Rubeus's turn to gawk as he
stared at Tuxedo.

"I thought I'd gotten rid of you," he mumbled.&nbsp "Looks like I'll
have to do the job right this time."

Tuxedo Mask leapt down, cane in hand.&nbsp In the light, everyone
could see his battle scars: A scarred neck, a slightly marred hand, a
slash running from above the hairline down to under his chin, and
another slash running from his ear to under the collar of his tuxedo.

"En garde," he said dryly, readying his cane.&nbsp At this, Rubeus
grinned and produced a sword made of black crystal.&nbsp Both men fell
into a ready stance.